Serving YouSpring is here (although it may not feel like it). I hope you had a blessed Easter. Serving the constituents of the 36th Senate District is very important to me, and I encourage you to contact me with any state issues. You may call toll-free at 1-855-347-8036 or email senjstamas@senate.michigan.gov. Also, please check out my Facebook page. Let me know if I can assist you in any way or if you have an idea to help move our state forward.

Being a part of the community is very important. Recently, I had the chance to join the Gladwin Meals on Wheels group. Thank you for allowing me to be able to help, and thank you for all that you do for the people of Gladwin.

Reading is critical to success in school and in life. March was National Reading Month, and I travelled around the district to encourage children to pick up a book and read. At the end of March, I had the chance to make some new friends as I read to second- and third-graders at Standish-Sterling Elementary School in Standish.

Always a fun day when friends come to the Capitol to visit. This week, friends from Arenac, Gaylord, Gladwin and Midland counties were in town for the Right to Life of Michigan Legislative Day. Thank you for being involved.

Honored by Michigan Association of CountiesI was honored as 2018 County Advocate of the Year by the Michigan Association of Counties (MAC) during its legislative conference in Lansing.

MAC Director of Governmental Affairs Deena Bosworth presented me with the award, highlighting my willingness to listen and work toward a solution on every issue.

They also recognized my work to increase local revenue sharing as the chair of the Senate general government budget subcommittee and my involvement in the local retirement stability reforms.

As a former county commissioner, it’s an honor to be recognized for supporting the tremendous work being done every day by our local governments. Our county governments are often the first line in providing critical services and keeping families safe. We owe our county officials and personnel a debt of gratitude for their service, and I look forward to continue working with our counties to improve our communities and the entire state.

Check out the 2018 Michigan Fishing Guide!Michigan’s 2018 fishing license season kicked off on April 1 and includes some new regulation changes. Anglers can find information on licenses, seasons, general regulations and more in the 2018 Michigan Fishing Guide. The helpful fishing guide also includes images of popular fish and materials on managed lakes and rivers in each county.

The guide is available anywhere fishing licenses are sold or online at www.michigan.gov/dnrdigests. The online version is always up to date and available to download.

Anglers can buy their fishing license in person at a local license retailer or online at www.mdnr-elicense.com. All 2018 fishing licenses are valid through March 31, 2019 and are good for all species. This year, individuals can display electronic copies of their fishing licenses on their smartphones.

I hope everyone gets a chance to experience the joy of fishing. It is truly one of the things that makes Michigan such a great place to live, and it contributes billions of dollars to the state economy to help support small businesses, communities and schools.

Senate approves online voter registration billsThe Michigan Senate recently approved legislation to allow residents to register to vote online. This reform would help more people participate in the democratic process while maintaining safeguards against fraud.

Using technology to improve the voter registration options is good for everyone. It would save time for people registering to vote, and other states that have enacted similar reforms have seen reduced administrative costs and increased accuracy in the voter rolls.

I was proud to sponsor one of the measures in the five-bill package. Senate Bills 425-429 would direct the secretary of state (SOS) to develop and maintain an electronic voter registration interface that would allow residents to submit voter registrations on the SOS website.

To register to vote online, residents would need to have a valid driver’s license or a state personal identification card. [read more]

2018 construction map now availableThe 2018 Paving the Way state construction map is now available online at www.michigan.gov/mdotmaps.

The map details the major road repairs scheduled this season on state highways and trunklines, along with the construction dates to help drivers prepare for work zones along their planned travel route.

State construction information and up-to-date traffic information is also available on the Mi Drive website at www.michigan.gov/drive.

Allow 30-day grace period for affixing license tabsA new law will give some peace of mind to drivers who renew their vehicle registration online or by mail a little too close to the deadline.

Public Act 64 of 2018 provides a 30-day grace window to apply license plate tabs for motorists who haven’t yet received their tabs in the mail. The law doesn’t extend the time a driver has to register or renew the registration but allows drivers some flexibility in case processing or mailing delays prevent the tab from arriving in time.

The secretary of state’s office notes that most law enforcement agencies can verify electronically if the vehicle plate has been renewed or is expired. The new law takes effect June 12, 2018.

THE 36TH DISTRICT

The 36th Senate District is made up of 10 counties, which includes: Presque Isle, Otsego, Montmorency, Alpena, Oscoda, Alcona, Iosco, Arenac, Gladwin and Midland counties.

Thank you for subscribing to my electronic newsletter! I am honored to represent you in the 36th Senate District of Michigan. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Please feel free to forward this on to others who may be interested in receiving the 36th District E-news. You may sign up for it also at my website or via Facebook.